WPO calls for better pay for female security guards

Sep 14, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
The recent statement by Minister Keith Scott, Minister of Labour regarding his concern for female security guards who work in the night is commendable, however one needs to situate that statement within the reality of Guyana.
There are about 55,000 thousand and more female headed households, majority of who do not have the spousal or financial support to take care of themselves and families. Many of these women are forced to go out and work to take care of their families. In the absence of proper paying jobs, they have to take whatever is available and in Guyana today those are the jobs that are available.
Women risk their lives and limb as well as the welfare of their children when they accept these low paying and dangerous jobs. What the Minister needs to do is to enquire from the security guards the salaries which they receive the conditions which they work under and whether their NIS and other benefits are paid.
Security companies thrive well, with the upsurge in crime more and more companies and organizations are turning to someone to watch their premises. The government is the biggest employer of security guards and they are hiring companies which hire more female security guards because they are more reliable and they are forced to accept low wages since they do not have other alternatives.
The Hon Minister should urgently investigate the Security firms that provide shoddy conditions to its employees both men and women urgently and if he is so concerned with the plight of women security let him request better conditions starting with transportation and a raise in pay. Match your words with immediate action, Honorary Minister.
WPO, women’s arm of the PPP

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